ALCOHOL-USE AND STRESS IN WOMEN - THE ROLE OF PRIOR VS ANTICIPATED STRESSORS

The present study investigated stress-related drinking in women. Alcoh ol consumption in response to stress and in anticipation of a stressor was examined to evaluate women's use of alcohol to cope with stress. Subjects were assigned to one of four conditions in a 2 x 2 factorial design in which order of alcohol consumption and stress task as well a s stress level was manipulated. Findings indicate that subjects did no t consume alcohol to cope with the effects of either a prior stressor or an upcoming stressor These results suggest the need for further ref inement of notions concerning women's use of alcohol to cope with stre ss.